Work starts to repair historic glasshouses

Work starts to repair historic glasshouses

5 December 2012

WORK is underway on repairing the historic glasshouses within the Annesley Gardens in Castlewellan.

The Gardens, which are part of the National Arboretum within Castlewellan Forest Park, have deteriorated considerably in recent years due to cutbacks within the Forest Service.

However, after a public outcry last year about the condition of what was once a major tourist attraction, plans have been laid for a new strategy to develop the overall forest park.

Down Council is co-ordinating the development of the strategy which will eventually seeking major funding to transform the Annesley Gardens, arboretum and the forest park.

It had been expected that work would not get underway until the strategy was in place, but last week workmen began to repair the huge glasshouses.

A spokesman for the Forest Service said the cost of the work will be £130,000 and the project will be complete by March next year.

“The repair work to the glasshouses should help create a focus for securing a long term viable use for the wider arboretum,” he said.

“Down District Council is taking a lead role in developing ideas for the arboretum and the wider Forest Park within the scope of a formal memorandum of understanding agreed with Forest Service.”